The current team looks good on paper but they lack experience. Their batting line-up revolves around Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke. But this Australian Test team is weak.

Any particular reason for not bowling the doosra in the two Test matches against Australia?

I can't bowl according to what people wish. It's up to me how to bowl. One has to bowl according to the conditions. I think I did well. Even after not using the doosra, I'm glad I got wickets.

There is a lot of positive talk about the atmosphere in the Indian dressing room.

Coach Gary Kirsten and the support staff have created a lovely environment. It is like one big family now. There is no senior-junior thing. We seniors try to make the younger players feel at home. There is a lot of confidence in each other's abilities in this Indian dressing room.

How is it that Team India generates something special when we play Australia?

Honestly, it is not just Australia... whenever we play an opponent we prepare

Mishra, fighting for a place in the XI this time with Praghyan Ojha perhaps, sounded a warning for the visitors nevertheless in a chat with The Indian Express.

Two years after his seven wickets on debut brought the Aussies down to their knees at this venue, Amit Mishra is raring to have another go at the same opponents.

Mishra, fighting for a place in the XI this time with Praghyan Ojha perhaps, sounded a warning for the visitors nevertheless in a chat with The Indian Express. Excerpts:

How memorable was your Test debut here?

It was very special and the biggest achievement in my life. I enjoyed bowling each and every ball in the Test. It was a dream debut.

What do you recall of your first wicket in Test cricket?

I remember my first wicket in Test cricket was that of Simon Katich. I clean bowled him. I was overjoyed. But Michael Clarke's dismissal in the second innings was more special because I got him through a plan. He was batting at 69 and was well set but his wicket set the

After facing a few throwdowns from coach Gary Kirsten at the P Saravanamuttu Oval on Monday, Tendulkar spoke at length about an impending feat - surpassing Steve Waugh's record of 168 Test appearances.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, who holds almost all batting records, is usually so superstitious that he does not talk about an approaching milestone. But after facing a few throwdowns from coach Gary Kirsten at the P Saravanamuttu Oval on Monday, Tendulkar spoke at length about an impending feat - surpassing Steve Waugh's record of 168 Test appearances. The little master recounted his journey from his first Test in Pakistan in 1989 to this record-breaking encounter. Excerpts...

On becoming the most capped player in Test cricket

It's been a long journey. I still remember the first Test I played in Pakistan in 1989. It was a completely different feeling compared to any cricket I had played. And since then it has worked out pretty well. I'm very happy that I have had the privilege of such a long